LeBron James made his debut on Christmas Day in 2003, just 10 days before Victor Wembanyama was born. This remarkable statistic highlights that James has been part of the NBA’s Christmas celebration for longer than Wembanyama has been alive. The upcoming Christmas showcases an exciting match-up between the league’s most experienced player and its rising star as the NBA celebrates its 77th Christmas with a series of games.
This year, fans can look forward to a quintuple header featuring Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs clashing with the New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves facing the Dallas Mavericks, a historic rivalry match-up between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics, as well as LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers taking on Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors, and the Denver Nuggets squaring off against the Phoenix Suns in the nightcap.
Wembanyama expressed his enthusiasm for his first-ever Christmas game, imagining it to be reminiscent of a movie scene, especially since he gets to spend the holiday in New York City with hopes for a bit of snowfall. His Christmas wish was partially granted with light snow falling in Manhattan ahead of the festivities. Meanwhile, James is thrilled about another opportunity to face Curry during this festive season, having gone head-to-head with him on Christmas three times previously. He acknowledged the significance of competing against such a legendary player and expressed uncertainty about how many more chances he would have to face Curry.
The Christmas games have traditionally been a major event for the NBA, attracting a larger audience as it marks the point when many fans start tuning into basketball. The league’s five games will be broadcast nationally on channels like ABC and ESPN while competing against the NFL, which is nearing the conclusion of its regular season. A unique presentation of the Spurs-Knicks game will feature an alternate cast starring Mickey Mouse and other animated characters, marking the first time an NBA game will be presented in this animated format.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated his desire for even more great players to participate in Christmas games, reflecting on how the sentiment surrounding Christmas match-ups has shifted over time. Once viewed as a burden, now there arises a call for more teams to be involved in this holiday tradition.
The highlight of the day starts with Wembanyama’s debut at noon ET as the Spurs play the Knicks, who will be participating in their 57th Christmas game, which is the most in NBA history. Knicks forward Josh Hart praised the young star’s incredible abilities, underscoring Wembanyama’s significant impact on the game.
The next match-up features a Western Conference finals rematch at 2:30 p.m. ET as the Timberwolves visit the Mavericks. This game holds particular importance for Dallas star Luka Doncic, as the scheduled tip-off aligns perfectly with prime viewing time in his home country of Slovenia. Doncic appreciates the opportunity for European fans to engage with the NBA on Christmas.
At 5 p.m. ET, a fierce historic rivalry will come to life as the 76ers meet the Celtics. With no teams facing off against one another more in NBA history, this Christmas clash will be the 14th meeting on this special day, further emphasizing the significance of this long-standing rivalry. Celtics’ guard Jrue Holiday shared his thoughts on balancing family time while playing on Christmas, recognizing the honor and excitement that comes with such an opportunity.
The evening culminates with the Lakers taking on the Warriors at 8 p.m. ET, featuring LeBron against Curry for another classic Christmas match-up. Both players have a storied rivalry marked by several high-profile encounters in previous years. Lakers coach JJ Redick reflected on the significance of this rivalry, recognizing the mutual respect shared between the two superstars. James continues to aim for the Christmas win record, currently tied with former teammate Dwyane Wade. Meanwhile, Curry looks to add to his impressive Christmas career statistics.
Finally, the Nuggets versus Suns game will close out the eventful day at 10:30 p.m. ET. This match not only serves as a rematch after Denver’s recent victory but also presents an opportunity for both teams to shine on a day when players are expected to elevate their games.
As fans prepare for this thrilling day filled with iconic basketball match-ups, the NBA once again captures the festive spirit of Christmas, providing memorable moments for fans of all ages.
